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United States Patent |
5,118,111
|
Suitor, deceased
,   et al.
|
June 2, 1992
|
Spherical puzzle
Abstract
A spherical puzzle composed of six individual pieces. Each piece has a pair
of opposed, convex, arcuate ends. A rectangular prism extends between each
pair of arcuate ends. Three of the pieces each have portions removed from
the rectangular prism to form a triangular pyramid. Two other pieces each
have portions removed from the rectangular prism to form a triangular
pyramid with one triangle removed to form a notch. The individual pieces
may be assembled and interlocked to form a sphere, whereby the arcuate,
convex ends form the exterior of the sphere.
Inventors:
|
Suitor, deceased; Walter (6861 West 35th Pl., late of Tulsa, OK 74107);
Suitor, executor; by Sandra (6861 West 35th Pl., Tulsa, OK 74107)
|
Appl. No.:
|
714938 |
Filed:
|
June 13, 1991 |
Current U.S. Class: |
273/160; 428/11 |
Intern'l Class: |
A63F 009/12 |
Field of Search: |
273/160
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
766444 | Aug., 1904 | Hoy | 273/160.
|
1546024 | Jul., 1925 | Reichenbach | 273/160.
|
2001067 | Oct., 1935 | Lane | 273/153.
|
3578331 | May., 1971 | DeGast | 273/160.
|
4441715 | Apr., 1984 | Titus | 273/153.
|
4529201 | Jul., 1985 | Nadel | 273/153.
|
4557484 | Dec., 1985 | Sherman, Jr. et al. | 273/153.
|
4865323 | Sep., 1989 | Heusinkveld | 273/153.
|
4877406 | Oct., 1989 | Wilk | 434/278.
|
4889340 | Dec., 1989 | Greene | 273/153.
|
Primary Examiner: Grieb; William H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Head & Johnson
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A puzzle which comprises: six rectangular prism pieces which interlock
to form a solid, each piece having a pair of opposed, convex, arcuate
ends, said pieces consisting of three identical and interchangeable
pyramid pieces having portions removed to form a triangular pyramid, and
two other identical and interchangeable notch pieces having portions
removed to form a triangular pyramid with one triangle removed to form a
notch, and a key piece which may be received in the said notches formed in
the two said notch pieces having one triangle removed from said triangular
pyramid.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a puzzle or toy having a plurality of
individual pieces that may be assembled in interlocking fashion to form a
solid.
2. Prior Art
Various puzzles and toys have been known over the years which are composed
of individual pieces which may be assembled to form a solid.
Other three dimensional puzzles having interlocking and rotatable members
with elements that slide in relation to each other.
Applicant is aware of the following U.S. Pat. Nos.
______________________________________
U.S. Pat. No. INVENTOR
______________________________________
4,557,484 Sherman, Jr. et al.
4,441,715 Titus
4,529,201 Nadel
2,001,067 Lane
4,865,323 Heusinkveld
4,877,406 Wilk
4,889,340 Greene
______________________________________
Sherman, Jr. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,484) discloses a puzzle having a
spherical center support with accompanying circular tracks.
Titus (U.S. Pat. No. 4,441,715) discloses a puzzle having six pieces formed
by planes having a common line joining two diametrically opposed poles
rotatably fastened together.
Nadel (U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,201) discloses a hollow sphere and members
equally spaced about the exterior surface which move about tracks.
Lane (U.S. Pat. No. 2,001,067) discloses a spherical puzzle having an inner
ball enclosed by an outer ball with openings which constitute access to
the inner ball.
Nothing in the prior art discloses a three dimensional puzzle having a
plurality of individual pieces that may be assembled in interlocking
fashion to form a solid.
Accordingly, it is a principal object and purpose of the present invention
to provide a puzzle having a plurality of individual pieces that may be
assembled to interlock and form a solid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes six separate and distinct pieces which may
be assembled to form a solid, in this case, a sphere. When fully
assembled, the pieces interlock to form a sphere which will not come apart
or disassemble until the pieces are removed.
Each of the individual pieces has a pair of arcuate, convex, opposed ends.
Each of the ends is similar in curvature and shape. When assembled, the
arcuate ends form the exterior of the sphere.
Each of the six pieces has a rectangular prism that extends longitudinally
between the arcuate, convex ends. The six pieces are composed of three
distinct configurations. Three pyramid pieces are identical and
interchangeable. Each of the three pyramid pieces has a rectangular prism
extending between the arcuate, convex ends. Two sides of the rectangular
prism have portions removed so that a triangular pyramid is formed between
the arcuate ends. Two other notched pieces are identical and
interchangeable. Each of the notched pieces has a substantially
rectangular prism extending longitudinally between the arcuate ends. Two
walls of the rectangular prism have portions removed to form a triangular
pyramid. One of the triangles of the pyramid has been removed or cut away
so that a V-shaped notch is formed. The V-shaped notch extends from one
edge of the rectangular prism to an opposed edge.
The final, remaining, key piece also has a pair of arcuate, convex opposed
ends. Extending longitudinally between the arcuate ends is a rectangular
prism which is solid, having no portions removed.
In order to assemble the puzzle, the three pyramid pieces are held together
so that the faces of the pyramids are aligned and in contact with each
other. The two notched pieces will then be assembled with the pyramid
pieces so that the notches therein are aligned.
Once these five pieces are held together in place, an opening is formed for
receipt of the key piece. The opening is formed from the portions removed
from the pyramid pieces and the notches in the notched pieces. The key
piece will slide into the opening thus formed and lock the pieces in
place.
In order to disassemble the puzzle, the key piece is removed by sliding the
key piece out of the opening formed by the notches.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view of a fully assembled puzzle constructed
in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front, exploded view of a puzzle as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pyramid piece of the puzzle shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a notched piece of the puzzle shown in FIG.
1; and
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a key piece of the puzzle shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a
puzzle 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The puzzle
has been fully assembled and in assembled condition forms a solid.
In the present embodiment, the exterior of the puzzle is in the form of a
sphere. As the following description will make clear, the exterior shape
of the assembled puzzle may take other shapes, such as a cube or a
rectangular prism.
The puzzle 10 is comprised of six separate and distinct pieces which may be
assembled. The pieces may be constructed of wood, plastic or any sturdy
material. When fully assembled, the pieces interlock to form a sphere
which will not come apart or disassemble until the pieces are removed.
Conversely, until all of the pieces are in place, the pieces will not
remain together.
FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the puzzle 10 showing the individual
pieces and their relative positioning. It will be observed that each piece
has a pair of arcuate, convex, opposed ends. Each of the ends is similar
in curvature and shape. When assembled, the arcuate ends form the exterior
of the sphere.
As most readily seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the six pieces which may be
assembled to form the puzzle are composed of three distinct
configurations. Each of the pieces has a rectangular prism that extends
longitudinally between the arcuate, convex ends.
With reference to both FIGS. 2 and continuing reference to FIG. 3, pyramid
pieces 20, 22 and 24 are identical and interchangeable. Each of the three
pyramid pieces has a rectangular prism 26 which extends longitudinally
between the arcuate, convex ends 27 and 28. Two walls or sides of the
rectangular prism have portions removed so that a triangular pyramid 29 is
formed between the arcuate ends 27 and 28.
Two other pieces 30 and 32 are each identical and interchangeable, as seen
in FIG. 4. Each of the pieces 30 and 32 has a rectangular prism 33
extending longitudinally between the arcuate ends 34 and 35. Again, two
walls of the rectangular prism 36 have portions removed to form a
triangular pyramid 34 between the arcuate ends. One of the triangles of
the pyramid 34 has been removed or cut away so that a V-shaped notch 38 is
formed. The V-shaped notch extends from one edge of the rectanqular prism
to an opposed edge.
The final, remaining piece 50 also has a pair of arcuate, convex opposed
ends 52 and 54. Extending longitudinally between the arcuate ends is a
rectangular prism 56 which is solid with no portions removed.
While an attempt may be made to assemble the puzzle 10 by guesswork or
experiment, a particular procedure will result in a solution. At first
glance, the pyramid pieces 20, 22, and 24 appear similar to the notched
pieces, although the notches 38 are important.
In order to assemble the puzzle, the three pyramid pieces 20, 22 and 24
will be held together so that the a face of each pyramid 26 will be
aligned and in contact with each other. As seen in FIG. 2, piece 22 is
perpendicular to pieces 20 and 24.
The notched pieces 30 and 32 will then be assembled with the pyramid pieces
20, 22 and 24 so that the notches 38 are aligned.
Once these five pieces are held together in place, an opening is formed for
receipt of the final or key piece 50. The opening is formed from the
portions removed from the pyramid pieces 20 and 24 and the notches 38 in
notched pieces 30 and 32. The key piece 50 will slide into the opening and
locks the pieces in place.
In order to disassemble the puzzle, the key piece 50 is removed by sliding
the key piece out of the opening formed by the notches in the notched
pieces 30 and 32. Once this has been done, the remaining pieces will
simply and quickly disassemble.
From the foregoing description, it will be observed that the pieces
interlock and no fasteners are required to hold the pieces together.
The order of assembly of the pieces is generally unimportant except that
the key piece must be inserted last during assembly and removed first in
disassembly.
Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the
drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further
modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made
within the spirit and scope of this invention.
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